Among lovers of indoor plants, scindapsus is one of the most popular plants. It is known for its simplicity, elegance, easy to care for. However, you should observe some features of growing plants.
Help about the plant
Golden scindapsus (bloody ivy, potos, epipremnum) belongs to the category of perennial vines growing in the tropics. Its homeland is Malaysia, Indonesia, South and Central America. In these countries, the plant is called the lotus. Using the accessory roots, the epipremnum is firmly fixed on the moss tubes. Sometimes it can even be mounted on the wall, creating a green carpet. It will be a wonderful decoration for the office, terrace, balcony or room, as well as for the garden. The plant is useful in that it absorbs unpleasant substances (benzene and formaldehydes), secreted by various household items, such as carpets, furniture. In this way the air is purified.
Scindapsus Description
There are about 30 species of plants. The color of the leaves ranges from bright green to dark green. They can be shiny, variegated, thin with light or yellow stripes, depending on the variety. The plant has no smell. The flowers are very invisible and represent one or more stamens. The gift of nature in question even bears fruit - berries. In one year, the epipremnum can reach a height of more than a meter.
Types of epipremnum
The most common species are painted scindapsus and golden scindapsus. The foliage of the first species is covered with bluish-white spots with a white border, and its shape is irregular. It can reach 18 cm in length and 10 cm in width. Sometimes small white inflorescences appear. The second type of plant is more unpretentious, golden coating on the leaves, as well as sizes from 6 to 12 cm in length and from 6 to 8 cm in width. The scindapsus is golden, the photo of which is in the article, the most unpretentious in care. It can grow up to two meters high. Siamese epipremnum, characterized by silver spots on the leaves, is less common among gardeners.
Of the varieties of golden scindapsus, the Golden Queen is most often grown, characterized in that its leaves are more yellow than green. They also use the "Marble Queen" hybrid, which requires good lighting and a temperature of 16 degrees. Its foliage is almost white. Also found "Tricolor" - a combination of light cream, green and yellow on the leaves.
Features breeding bloody ivy
The scindapsus is golden, or the sweat, as it is popularly called, reproduces in two ways. The first option: it is necessary in the spring (March-April) to cut the stem with a leaf from 15 to 20 cm. The lesion site is treated with a root growth stimulator and a shoot is placed in the soil containing leaf and turf ground, sand, peat. The seedling must be placed in a well-lit place, but not under direct sunlight. The soil should always contain enough water. Favorable temperature for growth - from 20 to 24 degrees.
The second method of breeding - layering. To do this, next to the parent plant have a pot filled with soil. Then one or several branches of the scindapsus are directed into it and pressed to the ground with a hairpin. Since the plant contains aerial roots, it will grow stronger in a new pot over time. After that, the stems are cut and add a little earth.
Scindapsus golden: care
For a plant, a room with good natural or artificial lighting is suitable . It is desirable that it be scattered. However, the weather can grow well in the shade. The optimum temperature is from 18 to 20 degrees. In winter, it should not fall below 16, because the golden scindapsus does not tolerate cold. He also does not like dry and hot air, so you can not place it near heating appliances. The plant must often be sprayed and watered (3 times a week), especially in summer. In order not to rot the roots, good soil drainage should be provided. In winter, the frequency of humidification is reduced. They wipe the leaves with a little warm water, which will give them a beautiful look and save them from unnecessary pathogenic microbes.
It is necessary to regularly (1-2 times a month) from early spring to late autumn do top dressing from peat, sand of pine bark, turf and leafy land. Sometimes water the plant with tincture of herbs or tea leaves. You can buy special fertilizers "For vines", which are sold in a flower shop. In winter, top dressing is done no more than once a month.
Transfer
Devil ivy is transplanted (golden scindapsus) only if necessary: as you grow or if you want to have a large plant. Do this once every 2-3 years in the spring (in March or April) in a larger container. During this procedure, you must carefully handle the plant, because it is easy to damage. Prepare for him a new slightly acidic soil containing fertilizers. If the epipremnum is not replanted, a part of the topsoil should be changed every year (depth 5 cm).
How to choose the right plant
For cultivation, take scindapus, which has many shoots and variegated foliage. In all plant species, it is necessary to check that there is no rot on the lower parts of the stems. It is necessary that the edges of the leaves are not dry, and also do not contain different fungal diseases. To do this, you should know the types of ailments and how to deal with them yourself.
Signs of disease and counteraction
Golden scindapsus can be susceptible to fungal diseases, as well as the effects of pathogenic bacteria and pests.
- Brown spots on the leaves indicate sunburn. This means that it urgently needs to be removed from direct sunlight.
- The disappearance of the pattern on the leaves, which become simply green, as well as their small size indicates insufficient lighting.
- The appearance of black spots and the death of foliage indicates a saturation of the soil with water and rotting of the roots, or insufficient drainage. In this situation, the soil should be allowed to dry and water the plant less often.
- A brown and dry foliage rim indicates too dry indoor air. Then the epipremnum often needs to be sprayed from the spray gun and a container of water should be placed near the battery.
- If the foliage gradually turns yellow and dies, then this is a normal process for the plant. But if this happens too abundantly, it means that he lacks nutrients or the sun.
- You should show a sense of proportion in terms of top dressing, because an excess of certain substances, including nitrogen, provokes excessive elongation of the stems and the disappearance of the pattern on the leaves.
- Dry edges of foliage signal an excess of salts.
The plant can be affected by a spider mite, then its inflorescences must be treated with special agents against pests 1-3 times. Continue the procedure every 8-10 days.
Recommendations
A few useful tips can come in handy for someone who wants to grow golden scindapsus at home:
- the plant will curl if you install a support next to it, wrapped in moss;
- if you regularly pinch the tops of the sweat, it will grow well;
- if you cut off the tops of the plant in April, it will become more like a bush.
There is an opinion that it is impossible to keep ivy in your home, as it brings bad luck. This plant is intended for office. Believe it or not, everyone decides for himself. However, home-grown epipremnum will be a great addition to any interior.